Karnataka farmers take to Grape farming

BANGALORE - Karnataka farmers are making good profits out of grape farming, as in the last five years, the farming of grapes has increased manifold and high profits has encouraged more farmers into this trade.

The grape farming culture began in Karnataka in the early sixties; prior to sixties Karnataka had one traditional Bangalore Blue quality of grapes.

Karnataka still has monopoly in the Bangalore Blue quality of grapes, as it is the only State that grows the black grape used basically for brewing wine and spirit.

With the increase in demand, farmers started growing other qualities of grapes like Anobi, Sopi, Dilkhus, Red Globe, Sarad and Sarad Krishna.

“Bangalore Blue is a quality grape. Anobi and Dilkhus are main crops in Bilapur area, and Seelus in Bijapur area. We also produce Sarad Krishna, Red Globe, but in small quantity,” said Narayan Swamy a farmer in Bangalore.

“Our main production is of Bangalore Blue and Dilkhus, with Anobi we make juice out of it and with these grapes we prepare juices, wines, spirit,” he added.

The production of resins (Kishmish) is another profit making aspect of grape growing.

Karnataka Government is going all out to promoting grape farming in the State.

“Karnataka Government has set up a board to have the wine production; they are encouraging farmers to grow certain varieties that are set to be imported from France, said .Venugopal, a former horticulture official.

“There are about 19 varieties, which have grown in a pocket of Bangalore and in some areas of Bijapur district,” he added.

The way grape farming is growing in Karnataka, it aims to trounce neighbouring Maharashtra as the largest grape producing state in the country. (ANI)